Chapter 158: Another Day of Thrifty Housekeeping

Just as the envoys from the Seven Kingdoms were about to collapse from sheer awkwardness, the Empress’s banquet was finally ready.

Everyone sighed. They’d gone through far too much just for this meal.

What they didn’t know, however, was that the long delay wasn’t because the Empress was preparing some grand welcoming ceremony. It was because she was being cheap.

’Exotic delicacies? Gourmet masterpieces? Why should I waste such fine things on a group of people with ill intentions?’

’Get rid of it! All of it!’

’Paving the roads with silk and satin? Whose idea was that? You think that’s free?’

’Using my own money to make a path for others to walk on? Have they lost their minds?’

’And don’t even get me started on those preparing exorbitant return gifts.’

’I mean, seriously. People show up at your house uninvited and insist on being guests.’

’And you’re expected to not only wine and dine them but also let them take things home? Are you afraid they won’t have enough money to raise an army and attack you?’

’Even a simp isn’t this pathetic.’

In short, after Her Majesty nitpicked everything, the final banquet ended up being just an ordinary banquet. Take it or leave it.

Her Majesty: ’Another day of being diligent and thrifty!’~~~

The envoys of the Seven Kingdoms entered the Imperial Palace, filled with excitement and anticipation, their heads swiveling to take everything in.

The Da Wei officials, in contrast, were stern and unsmiling.

Don’t ask why they weren’t smiling. Today’s banquet was plain and meager, and they felt second-hand embarrassment for Her Majesty.

Of the seven nations, the largest was Beimeng, followed in order by Xiyue, Heisha, Luogui, Cheshi, Wushan, and the Southern Domain.

The people from each nation had distinctive features, making them instantly recognizable, and their attire was even more peculiar, each trying to outdo the next.

The most conspicuous among them was, of course, the Fourth Prince of the Black Sand Country, Yu Mo. If not for his striking height, he could have easily been mistaken for a woman.

He wore a black-veiled headdress adorned with gold paillettes and tassels. His outfit was a two-piece ensemble—a top and a skirt, predominantly black with gold thread and sequin decorations. A sliver of his midriff was exposed, and a long cloak billowed behind him.

Even a woman might not dare to wear something so bold and alluring, yet he walked with a deliberate sway to his hips that was the very picture of flirtatious, graceful charm.

Many stared, their eyes wide, but the moment he spoke, the illusion shattered as if by a thunderbolt.

"Greetings, Your Majesty of Da Wei."

His voice wasn’t unpleasant, but it was unmistakably a man’s.

Xiao Yang was rather unfazed by this, merely marveling at his aesthetic choices and thinking no more of it.

"You may dispense with the formalities. You have all traveled a long way and endured hardships on your journey. Please, be seated."

Xiao Yang had little interest in her guests. After a few perfunctory words, she declared the banquet started, leaving the actual task of hosting to several of her ministers.

However, as the host of the event, even if she paid them no mind, they would certainly pay mind to her.

Beimeng Country, considering its national strength equal to Da Wei’s, took a hardline stance. Its envoy was the first to step forward, presenting a National Letter and gifts.

The gifts consisted of local specialties from Beimeng, artifacts from the Beimeng Royal Family, and a man.

He was a young man who would be considered frail by Beimeng standards, but whose build resembled that of the Da Wei people.

The Beimeng envoy went on at length, explaining that the man’s mother was a beauty from Da Wei, making him half a Da Wei man himself.

After all the blah blah blah, the goal was simple: to gift this man to Xiao Yang.

Xiao Yang’s harem was indeed empty, but she wasn’t *that* desperate for men.

Seeing her reluctance, the Beimeng envoy grew angry. "A marriage alliance is a testament to the friendship between our nations. Empress, your refusal to accept Mu Ta... does this mean you are dissatisfied with us in Beimeng?"

’Is he threatening me?’

Xiao Yang nonchalantly lifted her gaze. "As a matter of fact, I am."

She raised a hand and crooked a finger to the side. Taking the cue, Li Wei stood up.

Xiao Yang lifted her chin slightly. "You in Beimeng revere the valiant, I hear. What a coincidence—so do I. If he wants a place in my harem, he’ll have to show me he has real ability."

Li Wei understood and stepped forward, his eyes glaring fiercely. "A man sent by Beimeng Country must surely possess some extraordinary skills. I shall test his abilities on behalf of Her Majesty."

Rong Yin interjected with a cold sneer, "Since Beimeng dared to send him, they must be confident in him. Surely they wouldn’t deliberately send a useless weakling just to provoke Da Wei."

The Beimeng envoy knew of Li Wei’s formidable reputation. Even he wouldn’t dare claim he could defeat the general, to say nothing of the weakling they had presented.

He quickly backpedaled. "He was sent to marry Her Majesty the Empress, not to fight! If we sent a man with superb martial arts, what if he were to injure Her Majesty? Wouldn’t that damage the peaceful relations between our two nations?"

Though his words were polite, his tone was laced with mockery and disdain.

His attitude made one thing clear: he looked down on the Empress.

Xiao Yang’s lips curled into an unreadable smile as she scanned the man named Mu Ta from head to toe. "No martial prowess? Then on what grounds should I accept him?"

"He has no looks, no build, and on top of that, he’s a weakling. Does Beimeng take me for a scrap collector, or are you deliberately trying to provoke a war?"

Li Wei strode forward, grabbed Mu Ta by the collar, and lifted him like a baby chick. "You think you’re fit to serve Her Majesty?"

With a flick of his wrist, he sent the man flying, then turned to the Beimeng envoy. "If Beimeng wishes to declare war, there’s no need to be so indirect."

"It seems none of you are interested in enjoying this banquet. Men, escort them out!"

The Beimeng envoy frowned. He had indeed looked down on the Empress and wanted to cause trouble, but he only meant to run his mouth and make her lose face, not to actually start a war.

"Empress of Da Wei, you are being utterly unreasonable! We are the envoys of Beimeng, and we represent the honor of our country! Are you not afraid of offending our king?"

Even now, his posture remained arrogant.

Li Wei struck in an instant, knocking the man to the floor. "What insolence are you spouting? Do you have any idea where you are?"

The Beimeng envoy was dazed by the blow. Then, his anger flared, and he tried to fight back, openly brawling with Li Wei in front of everyone.

When it became clear he was no match, the other Beimeng people immediately rushed forward to help.

There were seven members of the Beimeng delegation in the hall, and in the end, all of them ganged up on Li Wei.

The envoys from the other nations did not intervene, nor did any of the Da Wei officials.

Li Wei, one against seven, took them all down without breaking a sweat.

"Bravo!"

From the throne, the Empress slammed her hand on the table in praise. "Someone, fill General Li’s cup!"

Xiao Yang offered the wine as a reward, and Li Wei turned to accept it. Just then, the Beimeng envoy, seething with rage, pulled out a hidden weapon and prepared to attack Li Wei from behind.

BANG!

The sound of a gunshot echoed through the hall. The envoys from the other six nations jumped in fright, completely baffled as to what had just happened.

Li Wei calmly stepped forward, accepted the proffered cup, and clinked it against the Empress’s before they both drank.

All the Da Wei officials raised their cups in unison, not saying a word.

It was not until one of the Beimeng men cried out in horror, "My lord! My lord!"

All eyes snapped in that direction, only to see a bloody hole in their lead envoy’s head.

The Empress’s voice was majestic and terrifying. "Beimeng publicly provoked us and disrespected me. I can tolerate that. But can you—my ministers, my generals—tolerate it?"

"We cannot!" they thundered in reply. "We absolutely cannot!"

The Empress slammed the table. "Men! Seize all the Beimeng delegation! The Ministry of Rites will immediately dispatch a letter to Beimeng. Their king must give me an explanation! Otherwise, the soldiers of Da Wei will fight to defend the dignity of their Empress!"

"We will fight for Her Majesty’s dignity!"